---
title: 'Syria: 17th International Meeting of the Astana Format'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/syria-17th-international-meeting-of-the-astana-format/'
author: 'Arantza Renteria Vizcarra'
date: '2021-12-22T23:27:21+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Ambassadors'
  - 'Diplomatic News'
  - 'Foreign Ministers'
  - 'INGOs'
---

# Syria: 17th International Meeting of the Astana Format

Nur-Sultan, 22 December 2021 (TDI): Representatives of the [Astana Format](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/syrian-crisis-russia-and-iran-discuss-political-solutions/) – Iran, Russia, and Turkey –  and UN Representatives arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in the 17th round of talks. The parties made a statement at the end of the 17th International Meeting on Syria. The sponsors noted that there could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict.

The talks will focus on the proposals to maintain peace in the region, in accordance with “the Astana Process”. A working group meeting between the guarantor countries, the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, will discuss the solutions on the table. Furthermore, the high-level officials will also address the prospects of forming the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva under UN sponsorship.

![16th Round of Astana Talks](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WhatsApp-Image-2021-12-21-at-11.45.16-300x169.jpeg)The main session of the 16th round of the Astana Process on Syria in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan on July 8, 2021.

##### **High-Level officials at the 17th round of Astana talks on Syria**

The Syrian government delegation is headed by Ayman Susan, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister. The head of the Syrian armed opposition is Ahmed Toma. For its part, the Russian president’s special envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev will lead the Russian delegation. Moreover, the Turkish delegation is headed by the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s Director-General for Syria Unal Selcuk. The Iranian delegation is headed by Ali Asghar Khaji, Special Assistant to Iran’s Foreign Minister for Special Political Affairs.

Additionally, UN officials, Jordan, and the International Committee of the Red Cross will participate as observers. The UN delegation will be represented by the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Khawla Matar.

**
🤝 On 21 December, the 17th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana Format opened in Nur-Sultan. The talks to be held on 21-22 December.

🇷🇺 Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander [#Lavrentiev](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lavrentiev?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) heads the Russian delegation. [pic.twitter.com/53Ng1V0cmj](https://t.co/53Ng1V0cmj)

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) [December 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1473256424885174272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

##### Joint Statement: Official Declaration**

Between the principal clauses and multiple topics of the [Joint Statement](https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1791660/) on Syria in the Astana Format, the participants:

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to advance viable solutions to the end of the conflict. As well, to search for an UN-facilitated political process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.